Mine and submarine destroyer.



. W. H. NORFOLK.

MINE AND SUBMARINE DESTROYER;

APPLICATION FILED AUG25 1915- 1,181,339 Pate May 2, 1916.

' SHEET I W. H. NORFOLK.

MINE AND SUBMARINE DESTROYER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-25, 1915.

Patented May 2,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- W. H. NORFOLK. MINE AND SUBMARINEDESTROYER. APPLICATION FILED AUG-2 5. l9l5. 1 11 ,339 I Patented May 2, 1916.

1 3 SIIEETSSHEET 3- I To all when it may concern."

WILLIAM n. noaronx, or sen rmmo, camronnm.

MINE nun s BMAmnE 'n'nsrnom. 7

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2; new.

Application filed August 25, 1915. Serial No. 47,213.

' Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. Non- FOLK, acitizen of the United'States, residing at San Pedro, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and usefullmp'rovements in 'Mine and Submarine Destroyers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a dirigible trap-- net, and particularly pertains to a device for positioning nets, cables, and the like,

in bodies of water. i

It isthe object of this invention to pro- "vide a dirigible floating device which is controllable from a remote point and adapt-1' ed to be ,di'rected'through bodies of water, to dispose a line' of nets or cables at any desired position, and which is especially applicable for use in obstructing the movements of vessels or for entrapping same, and.

for protecting vessels against torpedo and mine attacks, either when at anchor or while in transit, and otherwise utilized in marine warfare, both in defense and attack.

Another object is to provide a float support for submerged entanglements or bar riers adapted tobe extended in a string or line of'iudefinite length, and added to, directed, and controlled from a base or station, so that the line may be extended from the station in any desired length and direction.

Another object is to provide a device of the above character which is simple in construction and operation and which includes a submarine head-portion with propelling and steering means thereon,a cable attached thereto, and a series of cable-supporting floats. I

A further object is to provide a cablesupporting float with means for detachably connecting the float to the cable at suitable points throughout the length thereof.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention primarily resides in a floating structure adapted to be wholly or partially submerged, provided with a propeller and means for rotating same, and fitted with means by which the structure may be steered in any desired direction from a remote point, and a series of floats adapted to trail rearward of the structure as it is advanced and which serves 'to carry submerged nets or entanglements.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanylng drawingsin which: Figure 1- is a view in side elevation with parts broken away illustrating the submarine head-portion and adjacent float section ofthe dirigible net, illustratingit as adapted to be electrically controlled. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with portions removed. Fig. 3 is a view in section and elevation as seen on the line 3-3 of'Fig. 2

in i the direction indicated by the arrows. 1 Fig.4 1s a View inside elevation of a modified form of the dirigible net as adapted to be steered from a remote point by cable con-- nections. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 6 is a view in perspective illustrating the application of the dirigible net as employed ,in surrounding and entrapping a vessel. Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation of a detachable cable-supporting float. Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation showing the structure as fitted with a series of electromagnets 1 zontally extending conical prow and has a convergent rear portion to prevent the formation of objectionable eddies on advance of the prow through the body of 'water in 'whereby it may be automatically attached which it is submerged. Theprow float 15 is aflixed to a suitable framework 16, which connects with the upper and lower portions of a vertically disposed tubular float member 17 spaced at suitable distance from the horizontal center of the prow float 15. Disposed beneath thebalancing float 18- is a closed housing 19 adapted to contain a motor 20 and other operating mechanism which are inclosed in the housing 19 to protect diverges rearwardly of the prow float and vertical position. The motor 20 is designed to drive a shaft 22 extending through a suitable stufling box 23, in the forward end of the housing 19, and which shaft is fitted with a propeller 24 arranged rearwardly of the prow float 15 concentric with the horizontal axis of the latter.

Mounted rearwardly of the keel 21 is a vertical rudder 25, the stem 26 of which extends into the housing 19 and connects with a suitable operating mechanism by which the rudder may be turned to direct the structure laterally. The operating mechanism is here shown as consisting of a pair of solenoid magnets 28 and 29 on the energization of which the rudder may be swung from side side, as will be later described. Arranged on the opposite sides of the balancing float 18 is a pair'of submergence vanes which normally extend horizontally and are adapted to be rocked in any suitable manner to drive the structure vertically. The means here shown for operating the vanes 30 con-, sist of the pair of solenoid magnets 32 and v 33 adapted to operate on opposite sides of the dependent arm 34 carried by the shaft 31 to rock the latter and dispose the vanes 30 at any desired angular position.

The conductors for directing the electric currents to and from the motor 20 and the solenoids 28 and 29, 32 and 33, are carried through a cable or conduit 34 which connects with the upperend of the tubular float 17 and leads to a suitable controlling sta tion; the cable 34 being wound around a reel 35, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 6, and the terminals of the electric conductors therein, being suitably connected in any appropriate manner to the electrical powerproducing and controlling mechanism.

Connecting with the lower end of the vertical tubular float 17 is a supporting cable 36 which is designed to extend parallel with the conduit 34 and to be fed simultaneously with the latter from the reel 35.

As a means for supporting the conduit 34' and the cable 36, a series of tubular floats 37 are provided. These floats, particularly illustrated in Fig. 7, are fitted with a weight 38 at their lower ends, by which they are caused to assume a vertical position when placed in the water and are adapted to be detachably connected to the conduit and cable at suitable intervals apart. The connection for the cable is here shown as consisting of an upwardly extending clip 39 arranged near the lower end of the float and in which the cable 36 may seat. The device for attaching the conduit to the float comprises a clamp 40 mounted adjacent the upper end of the float and adapted to rigidly grip the conduit to hold the float against movement in relation to the latter. These floats are at tached to the conduit and cable as they are unwound from the reel 35. The cable 36 may be employed for supporting a net or entanglement 41 which may extend below the floats any suitable distance and employed for entrapping submarines, mines, and torpedoes.

If desired, small supplementary floats 42 may be aflixed to the conduit 34 intermediate the floats 37.

In the operation' of the form of the invention just described and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the head-portion 14 is placed .in a body of water and electrical current delivered to the motor 20 to drive the propeller 24, which will operate to advance the submarine head 14 through the water, in the direction indicated by the arrow a in Fig. 1. As-the submarine head advances, the conduit 34 and cable 36 are fed from the reel 35 and the floa'ts 37 placed in position. When it is desired to drive the submarine head to the right, or to the left, the rudder 25 is swung accordingly, in this case by energizing either the magnet 28 or 29, and when it is desired to direct the submarine vertically, as in diving or raising toward the surface, vanes 30 are tilted in the desired direction and by energizing the magnets 32 or 33.

The prow float 15, balancing float 18, and vertical tubular float 17 are of such character as to maintain the submarine head. in a nearly submerged position; the weight of the motor 20 and the keel 21 serving to maintain the structure in balance.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the steering operation is effected mechanically by means of a pair of cables 43 and 44, which are connected to the opposite sides of the submarine head, as shown in Fig. 5, and are operated by slackening one cable and exerting a pull on the other cable in opposition to the advance of the submarine head, which will serveto direct the latter horizontally.

A cable 45 is connected to the lower portion of the submarine as shown in Fig. 3, which, when a pull is exerted thereon, will operate to direct the head 14 downwardly; the head being directed upwardly on release of the cable 45 by the upward pull of the prow float 15,

It is manifest that various structures may be carried by the floats and may be variously arranged according to the character of the work to be accomplished; a net of any suitable construction being employed for entrapping submarines or torpedoes, or strings In some instances it may be deslrable to equip the device with a series of electromagnets 46, which may be mounted on the conduit 34, cable 36, net 41, or in any other desired position on the structure; the mag- -nets being employed to aflix av barrier or entanglement to the sides of. a metallic vessel. These magnets 46 may be of any suitable construction, being here shown in Fig.

8 as comprising a housing 47 secured by a vided for maintaining the magnet with its contacting facets disposed in a substantially vertical position; the means here shown consisting of a small float secured to the housing 47 which operates to exert a pull on the latter to maintain the magnets in the position shown .in Fig. 8- when the device is submerged. The current for energizing the electromagnet cores is supplied through conductors leading through the conduit 34. In the operation of the electromagnets, on same being energized, and brought into proper contact with the sides of the metallic structure, the magnets will be attracted and become affixed thereto by-magnetic attraction.

It is obvious that various other means may be employed for directing the movement of the submarine head member than those hereinbefore described, such, for in stance, as separately controlled steering propellers illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11; in this instance, a singlepropeller 51 being disposed horizontally beneath the head member and adapted to be driven by a motor 52 connected therewitli 't'o direct the head member vertically; a pair of propellers 53 and 54 being positioned on the opposite sides of the head member as shown in Fig. 11 and adapted to be operated independent of each other by motors 55 and 56 and by which the head member may be horizontally driven. The operation of the motors 52, 55 and 56. is controlled from the sending station through suitable conductors con-- nected with the motors.

While I have described the cable-carrying conduit 34 as connected tothe upper por-- tions of the float structures, it is apparent that the position of this cable may be varied as occasion may require and it is evident that various changes in the arrangement. and construction of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A dirigible net comprising a submarine float structure, a series of supplemental float members, flexible means for connecting said float members and a submarine structure, means for propelling the submarine structure controllable from a remote point, and means for directing the movement of the submarine structure.

2. A dirigible net comprising a submarine float structure, a series of supplemental float members, flexible connections between the float member and a submarine float structure, a propeller on the float structure, a

motor for operating the propeller, means for directing the float structure horizontally,

and separate means for directing the float structure vertically.-

3. A dirigible net comprising a submarine float structure, propelling means thereon,

WILLIAM H. NORFOLK. 

